Burnley defender Michael Keane has insisted that he had little choice but to leave Manchester United in pursuit of regular first-team football.

The 21-year-old, who came through the Old Trafford ranks as a youngster, joined the Clarets on a permanent basis earlier this week following a successful four-month loan spell.

Keane produced another solid display to help Burnley overcome Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at Turf Moor yesterday afternoon in a result that the youngster describes as being "huge" in the relegation battle.

"It was a big decision," he is quoted as saying by BT Sport. "I spoke to my family about it for ages because I had been there for nearly 12 years now. But I felt it was the right time, especially as I am playing regularly and I wouldn't get that at United at the minute.

"They didn't force me out, but they said if everyone is fit there I wouldn't be starting games. I thought I am playing games here and at my age I have a chance to play regularly in the Premier League and that's all I ever wanted, so it was quite an easy decision in the end.

"Now we want to stay in this league and we believe with the performances we have been putting in recently we can do. It was a huge game for us and we knew we had to win, especially at home against the teams that are around us."

Keane has previously enjoyed spells on loan at Derby County, Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.